Moa class patrol boat

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The Moa class patrol boat was based on an Australian boat design that was modified in 1978 to construct 2 inshore survey vessels for the Royal New Zealand Navy. One of these vessels, HMNZS Kahu remains in service today attached to the Royal New Zealand Naval College as the basic seamanship and navigation training vessel. She can be distinguished by the gantry on her quarterdeck and lack of funnels.

A further 4 vessels were later ordered for the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZNVR), with the first in the class commissioning in 1983. From 1994 the 4 IPCs were modified to conduct mine countermeasures route surveying using side scan sonar. On a number of occasions this was used to assist in search and rescue and transport investigations. In 2005 three vessels were relocated to Auckland to fill the training gap left by the decommissioning of the Leander class frigate HMNZS Canterbury (F-421). The fourth vessel, HMNZS Kiwi, continued to be based in Christchurch supporting the RNZNVR. On relocating the vessels had their side scan sonar removed. HMNZS Kiwi also relocated to Auckland 2006.

With the introduction of the Project Protector Ships, Moa, Kiwi, Wakakura and Hinau will be replaced by the new Inshore Patrol Vessels during 2007. HMNZS Kahu will be remain in service for seamanship and Officer of the Watch training.